Compression support sleeve

ABSTRACT

A multilayer compression support sleeve construction. The laminate material includes a thin polyurethane film coated on both surfaces with an adhesive. A stretchable elastomeric polymer material is bonded to each of the adhesive surfaces. A substantial portion of one of the elastomeric polymer surfaces is coated with a discontinuous layer of silicone microdots. The microdots are applied by gravure roll printing to project a uniform distance above the elastomeric polymer surface to form small tacky dots. The laminate material is fabricated into a sleeve with the material oriented so that the microdot coated face is adjacent the skin of the wearer. Microdots may be applied in a predetermined pattern in order to impart enhanced compression to certain areas of the support sleeve. The resulting support sleeve retains its breathability while presenting a nonslip inner surface which prevents migration of the garment on the skin of the wearer during exercise. The garment does not cause irritation to the underlying skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to an improved compressionsupport sleeve constructed to stay comfortably in place during strenuousactivity without the need for stays or straps and without causingirritation of the underlying skin. More particularly, it is concernedwith a sleeve of laminate multilayer construction having askin-contacting surface substantially coated with a thin layer ofdiscontinuous silicone microdots. Advantageously, the resulting sleeveconstruction is freely stretchable to conform to the muscles and jointsof a user, while providing slip-resistant support and augmentedcompression without impairing breathability of the device.

[0002] The upright posture of the human body renders it particularlysusceptible to strains, sprains and other injuries which are generallymanifested by swelling, inflammation and discomfort. When severe, aninjury may result in impaired mobility and necessitate restriction ofmovement and activity. The body is also subject to formation of fibrinclots which may obstruct vessels in the peripheral circulation when thebody is in the prone position for prolonged periods. In addition tolocalized morbidity, such clots may also break free and travel to theheart or lungs causing more serious damage.

[0003] Orthopedic injuries have economic as well as physicalrepercussions for professional athletes engaged in competitive sports.Sidelined athletes lose not only the opportunity to perform, butexperience a reduction in their overall level of fitness during periodsof restricted activity, necessitating a period of retraining prior toresumption of competition. Of course, most individuals are notprofessional athletes and they engage in less strenuous activities suchas jogging, calisthenics, walking and occasional competitive sports.

[0004] However, non professional athletes also experience discomfortwhen injured and their level of physical fitness is also impaired byinjury-enforced inactivity. Moreover, amateur athletes may be morelikely to be susceptible to injury, since they generally lack the adviceof professional trainers as well as the fitness and judgment developedby professional athletes. Those who engage in infrequent bouts ofstrenuous exercise without training are most at risk of injury. However,even the well-trained amateur athlete is subject to occasional strainsand sprains. Some individuals are particularly at risk of injury becauseof previous traumatic injury which has left continuing weakness in ajoint or limb. Other individuals are at greater risk because of theiradvanced age or general state of health and fitness.

[0005] The importance of providing compression support to limbs andjoints which have been injured or weakened or which are subject tostress, such as may be caused by strenuous exercise, is well recognized.So-called R.I.C.E. therapy (rest, ice, compression, elevation) iscommonly recommended for implementation following minor athleticinjuries. Such therapy is known to be particularly effective when coldand compression are applied immediately following an injury and thecompression is continued for a period of about 24 to 48 hours. The needto provide compression to facilitate venous return in bed bound patientsin order to prevent formation of blood clots is similarly wellrecognized.

[0006] Orthopedic compression bandages, braces and sleeves have longbeen employed to provide support for athletic and medical purposes. Theyare commonly worn over the wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. They arealso frequently employed on the lower legs and forearms, and, lessfrequently, on the upper legs and arms, shoulders and chest. Theyprovide support during normal movement, which support may be especiallyrequired by persons recovering from previous injuries or by persons whoare frail or elderly. Such compression devices also provide support forligaments, tendons, muscles and joints against the stresses of overextension which may occur during exercise. In this manner, they help toprevent orthopedic and muscular injury or reinjury. Elastomeric sleeveshave also been employed, commonly in the form of stockings, to providecompression in order to facilitate peripheral venous return from thelegs of bed bound patients, thereby helping to prevent embolism.

[0007] Such compression support devices are often of elastomericconstruction, either in the form of sleeves, dressings or strips whichmay be slipped over or wound around the affected area and fastened bymeans of hook and loop fasteners or specialized clips or pins.

[0008] A number of materials have been employed in the construction ofsuch support devices. Dressing, strip and sleeve-type supports aregenerally constructed of knitted or woven elastic webbing consisting ofelastic or cotton-wound elastic threads or of stretchable syntheticresin compositions such as neoprene. Laminate multilayer compositematerials have recently become available which are thinner thanpreviously used woven elastics and especially neoprene. Such multilayermaterials may be fabricated into sleeve or bandage-type supports. Theyare often five layers thick, with a synthetic resinous film layersandwiched between two adhesive layers, each of which is covered by anouter layer of a stretchable synthetic fabric such as nylon. However,the skin-contacting layer is quite slick, and the support tends tomigrate along the skin unless it is sized and custom fitted to the limbof a wearer. This is especially true of supports placed about the kneeas such supports slip or migrate along the leg.

[0009] Known knitted, woven and laminate materials tend to experienceslippage along the limb and to wrinkle or bunch up, causing compressionof the limb to be uneven. Such shifting and uneven displacement of thematerial against the skin causes dermal irritation and discomfort to thewearer. Slippage of laminate supports can be limited, but not eliminatedby custom fitting. However, such fitting requires personal consultationwith a professional fitter. Thus, it is expensive and consequentlyunavailable to most users. Moreover, changes in body weight, weightdistribution or development of musculature because of growth, exerciseor aging may necessitate periodic refitting of the brace to maintainproper support.

[0010] Because of these problems, some braces have been constructed ofrubber-like polymeric materials such as neoprene, which tends to stay inplace because of its high coefficient of friction against the skin.Neoprene supports are generally thicker and bulkier than bracesconstructed of other materials, and such materials have not proven to besatisfactory for frequent or sustained use because of their lack ofpermeability to air and water. Supports constructed of neoprene do notpermit the underlying skin of the wearer to breathe. Because suchimpermeable supports lack ventilation to carry away body heat andmoisture, extended or frequent wear may be uncomfortable as well asirritating to the skin. If such irritation is prolonged, it can resultin morbidity such as dermatitis and sloughing of the skin. Suchimpermeable materials are especially unsuitable for compression bandagesto be worn by amputees or individuals with impaired circulation, who maydevelop necroses. In addition, since impermeable supports provide nooutlet for perspiration excreted by the wearer, a salt residue isdeposited on the inner surface of the support which eventually serves toimpair elasticity and shorten its effective life span.

[0011] Since braces constructed entirely of impermeable, slip-resistantmaterials have not proven to be satisfactory, attempts have been made toconstruct braces from a combination of elastomeric and slip-resistantmaterials. One current technique is to apply a continuous bead or bandof a slip-resistant material such as silicone around the upper innersurface of the support. Certain applications, such as ankle braces, mayrequire bands at both the upper and lower inner surfaces in order tocontrol slippage. However, the slip-resistant material is impermeable,lacks ventilation, and is consequently uncomfortable against the skin ofthe wearer. Such bands project inwardly against the skin, causingadditional compression and discomfort. In addition, because the band isof necessity localized at the top of the support and is fairly narrow,it is not entirely effective in preventing slippage.

[0012] None of the previously available materials and combinations ofmaterials provide effective elastomeric support and compression whilestaying in place and maintaining breathability for the underlying skinsurface. Accordingly, there is a need for a compression support sleevefor athletic and medical uses which is light weight, comfortable,stretchable to conform to the anatomy of a user and to permit movement,which resists shifting against the skin and migration during exerciseand which does not impair breathability of the underlying skin orcirculation of the underlying blood vessels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention resolves the problems previously outlinedand provides a greatly improved compression support sleeve which iscomfortable, freely stretchable and breathable and is especiallydesigned to stay in place and to minimize skin irritation.

[0014] The support sleeve includes a multilayer laminate material formedinto a tube or other compression structure which is constructed toconform in shape to an intended limb or joint. The sleeve may betailored with gussets or darts to improve the fit, and may be equippedwith one or more support stays or pulls to facilitate placing the sleeveon the user. The laminate material includes a polyurethane film havingan adhesive coating applied to either side. The adhesive coatings areeach bonded to respective layers of a stretchable elastomeric polymermaterial. The inner elastomeric polymer surface of the sleeve, whichfaces the skin of the wearer, is substantially coated with adiscontinuous layer of silicone microdots. The microdot-imprintedsurface remains permanently tacky, serving to prevent slippage of thefinished support garment while the spacing between the microdotsfacilitates “breathing” of the material.

[0015] In particularly preferred forms, the silicone is applied bygravure roll printing during manufacture of the sleeve to providemicrodots having a uniform depth. The support may be worn repeatedly andlaundered without loss of friction by the silicone-coated surface.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The principal objects and advantages of the present inventionare: to provide a compression support which stays in place on the bodyof a wearer while maintaining breathability of the underlying skin; toprovide such a support which is of multilayer laminate construction; toprovide such a support which is light weight and comfortable to awearer; to provide such a support which does not irritate the skin of awearer; to provide such a support which has enhanced compressionproperties; to provide such a support which eliminates the requirementof rigid or semi-rigid shape maintaining structure such as stays, strapsor sewn in elastic or impermeable compositions to prevent garmentmigration; to provide a material for such a support which has askin-contacting surface having a high coefficient of friction as well asallowing breathability; to provide such a material which reduces garmentmigration; to provide such a which reduces the likelihood of skinirritation caused by shifting of the material against the skin; toprovide such a material which imparts additional compression to agarment; to provide such a material which is coated with a matrix oftacky microdots; to provide such a material which is coated with amatrix of silicone microdots; to provide such a material which is coatedwith a matrix of tacky microdots in an identifying pattern; to providesuch a material which is comfortable to wear; to provide such a materialupon which the microdots are gravure printed with silicone; and toprovide a method for making a material for such a support which issimple and efficient and economical to manufacture, which effectivelyprovides a non slip yet breathable elastomeric surface, and which isparticularly well-adapted for its intended purpose.

[0017] Other objects and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of this invention.

[0018] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a support device inaccordance with the present invention shown placed on the leg of a user,with a portion of the support laid back so as to illustrate themultilayer laminate construction thereof.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of an inner surface of thesupport device.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the supportdevice, taken along line 3—3 of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of making amultilayer laminate material for use in construction of the supportdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention aredisclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodiedin various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as abasis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching oneskilled in the art to variously employ the present invention invirtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0024] The reference numeral 1 generally identifies a compressionsupport sleeve in accordance with the present invention and the sleeve 1is depicted in place over human leg knee joint area 2. The sleeve 1includes a generally tube-shaped member 3 of multilayer construction,having an upper end 4 and a lower end 5. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,a central film 11 is sandwiched between outer and inner adhesive layers12 and 13. A flexible and resilient film composition is required for thefilm 11 in order to permit stretching of the sleeve 1, as it is put onand to accommodate movement of the underlying joint or limb during use.Polyurethane having a thickness of about 2 mil is preferred, althoughanother suitable polymeric film may be employed and thickness may varyin accordance with desired characteristics of the sleeve 1. The adhesiveor heat and pressure sensitive glue layers are bonded respectively toouter and inner layers of elastomeric polymer material 14 and 15. Anysuitable adhesive which is compatible with both the polyurethane filmlayer 11 and the elastomeric polymer layers 14 and 15 may be employed.The polymer layers 14 and 15 are preferably constructed of a spandexfiber such as is sold under the trademark Lycra by DuPont Chemical Co.,however, other materials function satisfactorily for the purpose.

[0025] The outer elastomeric polymer layer 14 presents a smooth surface21, which facilitates free movement of clothing over the sleeve 1, whileproviding resistance to abrasion and wear. Various constructions ofsleeves having layers similar to layers 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 have beenpreviously offered by others for such devices as wet suits and medicaldevices. Such a sleeve of five layers is depicted in U.S. Pat. No.5,735,807 of Cropper for use as a knee compression support, which isincorporated herein by reference.

[0026] An inner, slip resistant surface 22 is formed by a layer ofdiscontinuous microdots of a tacky substance 23, which covers asubstantial portion of the surface 21. Silicone has been found to beparticularly suitable for this purpose because it is extremelycompatible with human skin, and may be compounded into an adhesive fluidfor application which retains a slightly tacky surface when dry.

[0027] The microdots 23 are spaced and preferably of generally circularconfiguration, having a diameter of from about 1 to 4 mils in thickness,preferably about 2 mils, and with a diameter of from about 10 to 50 milsin diameter with about 25 mils in diameter being preferred. Themicrodots 23 are imprinted upon the fabric by application of apreselected pressure which causes them to extend outwardly from thefabric surface 22 preferably about 2 mils. The microdots 23 are appliedover substantially all of the inner surface 22 of the polymer layer 15.Because of the elastomeric nature of silicone patterns when stretched,the silicone microdots 23 impart additional compression to the garment 1and spacing facilitates breathing of the fabric. In certain embodiments,the size and distribution of the microdots 23 are varied in order toprovide additional compression at predetermined locations. Such variablecompression enables the garment to provide differential support isparticularly desirable in certain applications such as, for example,ankle braces.

[0028] While the microdots can be constructed of any material compatiblewith the skin a silicon rubber is preferable, especially a siliconrubber that is the reaction product of 5 to 10% VI/STdimethyl-methylvinylsiloxane, 60 to 80% vinylpolydimethylsiloxane, 10 to30% D4 and HMDZ treated silicon dioxide reacted with 60 to 80%vinylpolydimethylsiloxane, 5 to 10% VI/ST dimethylvinylsiloxane, 1 to 5%polymethylhydrogensiloxane and 10 to 30% D4 and HMDZ treated silicondioxide. Such a composition is available from Enterprise Coatings Co.Ltd.

[0029] While normally not necessary with the microdots 23, the sleeve 1may also include one or more ribs or stays 24, which are formed of aflexible synthetic resinous material to impart additional rigidity andsupport to the garment or assist in application of the sleeve 1 to theknee joint 2. The stays 24 are secured in place on either side and atthe ends by seams 25, which may be sewn or fusion welded. One or moreloops 26 extend upwardly from sleeve upper end 4 to facilitate pullingthe garment on and positioning it snugly in place over a selected limbor joint.

[0030] While a generally tubular sleeve 1 has been depicted anddescribed, those skilled in the art will appreciate that suchcompression support garments may be fabricated to include gussets orseams or in the form of stockings, spiral constructions for use on theankles and elbows as well as planar bandages which may be wound around alimb or joint in overlapping fashion and held in place by hook and loopfasteners or clips.

[0031] A method of manufacture of the material of sleeve 1 is depictedschematically in FIG. 4 which includes providing a substrate 32 havingsuitable release properties to permit casting and easy removal of apolyurethane solution. The substrate 32 is preferably supplied on aspool 33. As the substrate 32 is unrolled into an assembly line, itpasses a spray station 34, which applies a polyurethane fluid 35 to onesurface of the substrate 32. The polyurethane coated substrate 32 passesthrough a series of drying ovens 36 and 37, which dry the polyurethane35 into a 2 mil film 38 on the substrate 32.

[0032] The film-coated substrate passes a spray station 44, whichapplies an adhesive solution 45 onto the surface. Preferably, thestation 44 sprays adhesive solution 45 onto the film-coated substrate inan even, continuous layer. In other alternate embodiments, the spraystation 44 may be operated intermittently or the distance between thespray heads may be set to deliver a discontinuous layer of adhesivesolution 45. Once coated with adhesive solution 45, the polyurethanefilm-coated substrate 32 passes through a second series of ovens 46 and47, where the solvent is evaporated from the adhesive solution to forman adhesive layer 48.

[0033] Elastomeric fabric 54, such as a spandex fiber of about 20 mils,is supplied, preferably on a spool 55. Knitted nylon tricot fabric,especially as sold under the trademark LYCRA by E. I. DuPont de Nemours,is preferred because it provides a superior laminate construction whichis long wearing and extremely comfortable to the wearer, although anyother suitable knitted, woven or nonwoven fabric such as cotton, rayon,other stretchable synthetic fiber or blend thereof may be employed. Thefabric 54 is unwound onto the surface of the adhesive layer 48 and ispressed into the adhesive 48 at elevated temperature by a series ofrollers 56 and 57 to form a fabric/adhesive/film laminate 58. Thelaminate 58 is then stripped from the substrate 32, exposing an uncoatedpolyurethane film surface 59.

[0034] The laminate 58 passes a spray station 65 which again sprays anadhesive solution 66 onto the uncoated polyurethane film surface 59.Once coated with adhesive solution 66, the laminate 58 passes through athird series of drying ovens 67 and 68, where the solvent is evaporatedfrom the adhesive solution to form an adhesive layer 69.

[0035] Additional elastomeric tricot fabric 75 of about 20 mils inthickness is supplied on a spool 76. The fabric 75 is unwound onto thesurface of the adhesive layer 69 and is pressed into the adhesive 69 byrollers 77 and 78 to form a fabric/adhesive/polyurethane/adhesive/fabriclaminate material 79.

[0036] The silicone microdots 23 are applied to one of the fabricsurfaces of the laminate 79 by a process such as gravure printing. Inthe preferred rotogravure method, a suitably compounded silicone fluid85 is supplied in a trough 86 for imprinting onto one surface of thelaminate. Silicone is preferred because of the compatibility of itscured silicone gel with the skin and because the cured gel retains aslightly tacky surface having a high coefficient of friction against theskin.

[0037] A first rotating cylinder 87 rests in the trough 86, and byrotary movement thereof, its surface receives a coating of the silicone85. A second rotating cylinder 88, is positioned in contact withcylinder 87 and elevated slightly above the trough 86 so as to receive acoating of the silicone solution 85 from the first cylinder 87 duringrotation, and to permit any excess solution to drain back into thetrough 86. A rotating gravure cylinder 89 is positioned so as to makecontact with cylinder 88 as well as the surface of laminate 79 duringits rotation.

[0038] The surface of cylinder 89 is etched or engraved to form apreselected pattern of spaced, generally circular recesses 95, eachhaving a predetermined diameter and depth. As gravure cylinder 89rotates against cylinder 88, the recesses 95 are filled with silicone85. A doctor blade 96 removes the excess silicone 85 from the surface ofthe gravure cylinder 89, but not from the recesses. Continued rotationof the gravure cylinder 89 brings the silicone filled recesses 95 intocontact with the surface of laminate 79, where the silicone 85 isimprinted as raised silicone microdots 23.

[0039] Gravure cylinder 89 exerts a preselected pressure against thelaminate 79 during the printing process in order to achieve a selecteddepth of imprint of the microdots 23 into the laminate 79. In thismanner, the depth of the recesses 95 and imprinting pressurecooperatively determine the depth of the imprinted microdots 23 on thesurface of the imprinted laminate 97 The size, depth, distribution andarrangement of the recesses 95 on the gravure cylinder 89 may bepreselected to imprint microdots 23 in any desirable pattern whichserves to reduce garment migration, provide additional areas ofcompression, or even to provide brand identification.

[0040] The imprinted laminate 97 passes through a series of circulatingair ovens 98, 99 for evaporation of any solvent residue and curing ofthe silicone solution to a tacky gel. The laminate 97 is then wound ontorolls 100 of manageable size. The silicone imprinted laminate 97 mayalso be joined under heat and pressure with a release-coated protectivebacking prior to winding on rolls 100. The backing may be removed aftercomplete cure of the silicone, to expose a multilayer laminate materialhaving a permanently tacky imprinted surface with spacing between thedots to facilitate breathing of the material.

[0041] The material thus produced may be formed into completed sleeves1, stockings and other types of compression support having sewn or fuseddarts, gussets, and seams. The supports may also include fasteners suchas for example, hooks, zippers, buttons and the like.

[0042] It is to be understood that while certain forms of the presentinvention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to belimited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described andshown. C L A 1 M S

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is asfollows:
 1. A stretchable laminate material for making compressionsupport devices for the body comprising: (a) a first layer of anelastomeric fiber material; (b) a second layer of a polymeric film, thefilm presenting a pair of opposed surfaces; (c) a third layer of anelastomeric fiber material; (d) a pair of adhesive layers bonding saidfirst and third layers to respective second layer surfaces; (e) one ofthe first and third elastomeric fiber layers being imprinted with asilicone coating in a discontinuous, spaced pattern of impressions overa substantial portion thereof for providing slip resistance; and (f) theimprinted layer being uncoated in a corresponding discontinuous, spacedpattern of uncoated fiber to permit dissipation of heat and moisturefrom an underlying skin surface through the uncoated fiber.
 2. Amaterial for use in making compression support devices according toclaim 1 wherein said elastomeric fiber material comprises spandex fiber.3. A material for use in making compression support devices according toclaim 1 wherein said polymeric film comprises polyurethane.
 4. Amaterial for use in making compression support devices according toclaim 1 wherein said silicone coating is imprinted in a pattern ofspaced small dots.
 5. A material for use in making compression supportdevices according to claim 1 wherein the size and distribution of saidsilicone impressions are varied in order to provide the material withselected areas of variable compression.
 6. A compression support devicemade from the material of claim 1 for supporting a joint or limb of thebody, wherein edges of the material are joined to form a limb encirclingsleeve.
 7. A compression support device according to claim 6 whereinsaid compression support device further includes a support rib.
 8. Amethod for making a stretchable multilayer laminate material for use incompression support devices for the body, comprising: (a) providing afilm of a substrate material and spraying the substrate surface with acoating of a polymer composition; (b) passing the polymer coatedsubstrate through an oven and drying the polymer composition to form apolymer film having an exposed first surface; (c) spraying the polymerfilm first surface with a coating of an adhesive composition; (d)providing a layer of an elastomeric fiber material and bonding thematerial to the adhesive coating to form a laminate; (e) removing thesubstrate film from the laminate to expose a second polymer filmsurface; (f) spraying the second polymer film surface with a coating ofan adhesive composition; (g) providing a second layer of an elastomericfiber material and bonding the material to the adhesive coating; and (h)providing a quantity of a silicone compound placing printing adiscontinuous raised, spaced pattern of said silicone over a substantialportion of the second fiber layer to provide slip resistance whilepermitting the fiber to remain uncoated in a corresponding spacedpattern to permit dissipation of heat and moisture from an underlyingskin surface through the uncoated pattern of the second fiber layer. 9.The method according to claim 8 wherein said elastomeric fiber materialcomprises spandex fiber.
 10. The method according to claim 8 whereinsaid polymeric film comprises polyurethane.
 11. The method according toclaim 8 wherein said silicone is applied by gravure printing in apattern of evenly spaced dots.
 12. The method according to claim 11wherein said gravure printing includes rolling said fiber material witha cylinder at a preselected pressure for imprinting on said fiber raisedpattern having a preselected height.
 13. The method according to claim 8wherein said gravure printing includes etching a cylinder withindentations having sizes and distribution preselected for imprinting onsaid fiber raised impressions varied in order to provide said fibermaterial with selected areas of variable compression.
 14. In a methodfor making a stretchable multilayer laminate material, the improvementcomprising: (a) providing a quantity of a silicone in a discontinuous,raised and spaced pattern of the silicone over a substantial portion ofthe laminate to provide, after drying, a tacky surface and slipresistance while permitting the laminate to remain uncoated in the spacebetween the silicone to permit dissipation of heat and moisture from anunderlying skin surface through the uncoated pattern of the laminate.15. In a stretchable laminate material for making compression supportdevices for the body, the improvement comprising: (a) an elastomericfiber layer having an inner surface with a discontinuous spaced patternof silicone positioned thereon over a substantial portion thereof forproviding slip resistance; and (b) the fiber layer being uncoatedbetween the silicone in an uncoated pattern to permit dissipation ofheat and moisture from an underlying skin surface through the uncoatedpattern.
 16. In a compression support device for supporting a joint orlimb of the body, the improvement comprising: (a) a stretchablemultilayer laminate material including an inner, skin-contactingelastomeric fiber layer with a discontinuous spaced pattern of siliconedots over a substantial portion thereof for providing slip resistance;and (b) the fiber layer being uncoated in an uncoated pattern to permitdissipation of heat and moisture from an underlying skin surface throughthe uncoated pattern.